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Move to Bedford for a comfortable commute, community spirit and cheaper period homes

The compact town has a good choice of primary schools

Cherry Maslen

April 1 2018, 12:01am, The Sunday Times

Upping the ante: swans on the Great OuseALAMY

Why it’s hotIt hasn’t drawn much attention to itself since the castle was knocked down on the orders of Henry III in the 13th century, but unsung Bedford’s star appears to be rising as commuters look for family-sized houses and a walk to the station at prices far lower than in Hertfordshire wallet-burners such as St Albans. Only the motte remains of the castle, but from the top you get a lovely view of the wide River Great Ouse, which runs through the centre of this compact county town. The meadows on the other side of the river are the favoured spot for a Sunday stroll, especially when there’s a band tuning up on the Victorian bandstand and swans are gliding past.

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